Principal Magazine

Digital Transformation Demands Quality Tech Tools

Use an expert assessment of five common indicators to validate ed tech products before you buy. 1/6/2025

Jean-Claude Brizard

Principal Magazine - January/February 2025

Digital Transformation Demands Quality Tech Tools: A 500-Word Summary for Educators

Jean-Claude Brizard’s article, “Digital Transformation Demands Quality Tech Tools” (Principal Magazine, January/February 2025), emphasizes the importance of thoughtfully selecting and implementing educational technology (edtech) to transform learning environments effectively. As schools navigate an ever-expanding array of tools, this article provides actionable guidance to ensure that digital transformation fosters equitable and impactful education.

The Challenge of Edtech Selection

Schools face the dual challenge of integrating cutting-edge technology while ensuring it aligns with student needs, pedagogy, and assessment models. The stakes are particularly high for under-resourced schools, where access to technology and training may lag behind more affluent districts. The rapid adoption of digital tools post-pandemic has highlighted both opportunities and challenges, underscoring the need for intentional decision-making.

The Five Quality Indicators

Brizard introduces five quality indicators, developed by organizations like Digital Promise, to evaluate edtech products effectively:

1. Safety: Products must prioritize robust data privacy and security. They should minimize data collection, ensure transparency, and adhere to industry standards to protect student and educator information.
2. Evidence-Based: Tools must be grounded in research and proven effective, adhering to the Every Student Succeeds Act’s Tiers of Evidence. This ensures alignment with educational standards and measurable impact.
3. Inclusivity: Edtech must address learner variability, ensuring accessibility and equity for students of all backgrounds. Tools should avoid perpetuating stereotypes or biases.
4. Usability: Products should be intuitive for educators and students to ensure seamless integration and reduce unnecessary barriers to adoption.
5. Interoperability: Tools must integrate smoothly within a school’s digital ecosystem, allowing for secure data exchange and personalized learning experiences.

Examples of Digital Transformation

The article highlights Reagan Elementary School in California’s Lindsay Unified School District as an example of effective digital transformation. The district’s transition to a competency-based learning system demonstrates the importance of aligning technology with a clear educational vision. Key components of their strategy include:

• Providing 1:1 devices and free community Wi-Fi.
• Employing digital learning specialists for consistent support.
• Implementing a custom learning management system, Empower, to align student, teacher, and parent needs.

This comprehensive approach ensures that technology empowers students to take charge of their learning while addressing equity and access.

Preparing for the Future

As technology advances, schools must proactively adapt their learning environments. Artificial intelligence (AI), for instance, holds potential for personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and intelligent tutoring. However, educators must evaluate AI tools carefully to maximize their benefits without compromising equity or privacy.

Brizard emphasizes the importance of teacher input in technology adoption. Teachers’ insights on what works in the classroom should shape district strategies and policies. Schools must also educate families on using technology responsibly at home and align instructional planning with digital tools to create a cohesive learning ecosystem.

Conclusion

Digital transformation is not merely about acquiring new tools—it’s about creating an equitable, learner-centered environment where technology serves as a catalyst for achievement. By focusing on quality indicators, fostering collaboration, and aligning technology with educational goals, schools can build resilient systems that benefit students, educators, and communities.

Citation: Brizard, Jean-Claude. Digital Transformation Demands Quality Tech Tools. Principal Magazine, January/February 2025.

Original Article

------------------------------

Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com